What to do in Bangkok, Thailand: top 10 activities

Bangkok has been leading the world as the most visited city and, although it is in part due to its flight connections to basically everywhere in Southeast Asia, it is also because of the many things it has to offer. Here’s a list of what to do in Bangkok for first timers.

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Top 10 things to do in Bangkok

1. Visit the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and/or Wat Arun

These are the three major cultural attractions in the city and for a reason! Visitors from around the world are amazed by the grandeur and the craftmanship of these buildings so it is a must to visit at least one of them if you are in the city.

Travel tip: the following are sacred Buddhist sites so dress accordingly or you won’t be let in. Cover your shoulders and knees and do not wear see-through clothing. Remove your shoes at marked places and keep your feet covered in the Grand Palace.

Grand Palace

The Grand Palace os a complex of buildings in the center of Bangkok that has been the official residence of the Kings of Siam (later Thailand) since 1782. Although the Royal Family does not live there anymore (since 1925) it is still used for official events.

The Grand Palace is an impressive complex that is made up of several independent buildings, halls, pavilions spread around lawns,gardens and courtyards. Although the interior cannot be visited, it is still impressive to stroll around in the gardens and check out the impressive architecture of the former royal residence.

Within the palace you can also visit the Wat Phra Kaew (the temple of the Emerald Buddha). This temple is the most important Buddhist temple in Thailand because of the Emerald Buddha, a statue carved from a single block of jade.

The entrance fee to the Grand Palace is 500 baht (around 13 €) for foreigners (free for Thai people) and it includes all visits.

Wat Pho

Wat Pho is a Buddhist temple complex situated nearby the Grand Palace. In my opinion is the most impressive temple in the city, with the greatest collection of Buddha images in Thailand, including the famous reclining Buddha, a 46 m (150 ft) long Buddha sculpture.

The temple complex consists of two walled compounds, only one of them being open to visitors. The closed part is the monk residence and school. The temple grounds contain 91 small chedis (stupas), four great chedis, two bell towers, a central shrine and a few halls and rock gardens, all of them with incredible craftmanship and details.

The entrance fee to Wat Pho is 100 baht (less than 3 €).

The temple complex also contains the Wat Pho Thai Traditional Massage School. You can visit and have a traditional Thai or foot massage by their students for as cheap as 260 baht (less than 7 €).

Wat Arun

Wat Arun, also called the Temple of Dawn, situated on the other side of the Chao Phraya River opposite to the previous two, is one of the most jaw-dropping temples in Bangkok. The tallest of them all at over 70 m (220 ft), the tip of the central prang is the first thing the sunlight touches at dawn.

From the Western bank of the river, it seems like it’s watching the city, and its colourful tiles and its scrupulous details makes it one of the best attractions in the city. For me, Wat Arun is the image that comes to mind when I think about Bangkok, because of its iconic architecture.

The entrance fee to Wat Arun is only 30 baht (less than 1€!!) for foreigners and free for locals.

Travel tip: the best view of Wat Arun is from the opposite bank of the river. We had one of our best Bangkok experiences by sitting at the Arun Residence rooftop bar (called Amorosa) and sipping some (expensive) beer with the best view of the beautiful temple.

2. Indulge in tho world’s best street food

Oh, the street food. There is nothing that I miss more from Bangkok than the delicious food you can get for around 40 baht (1€) literally anywhere in the city (excluding tourist hotspots like Khao San Road, of course).

And it is not only me. Bangkok ranks #1 in basically every list regarding street food. There is nothing I can write that will make you understand the magnitude of this, you’ll have to be there and taste it to understand. Don’t be scared of trying food from any of the thousands of stalls that are spread around the city. Odds are they’ll be good too! My tip? If there’s locals eating there it’s probably great.

This topic is too big to elaborate here, so I will work on a dedicated post for it. It’ll be here soon! But in the meantime, make sure you check out our post about out Thai cooking class in Phuket, with some delicious recipes you can cook at home!

→ Thai food: Miss Chel’s thai cooking class in Phuket

3. Visit one of the city’s floating markets

Almost everyone visiting Bangkok has in mind visiting one of its floating markets. If you don’t know what they are, floating markets are markets where the goods are sold from boats.

In their origin, floating markets were very convenient because the boat was the most efficient mode of transportation in Thailand and other neighboring countries. Thus, Bangkok’s canals were alive with farmers transporting their goods by boat to trade them. Right now they are mostly kept as tourist attractions, but they retain that exotic quality that makes them a great visit during your stay in Bangkok.

A few of Bangkok’s floating markets

• Amphawa floating market: one of the largest and probably the most touristic one. It can get crowded but it presents a beautiful scenery with the teak wood shops and you can taste some delicacies on the spot. 8am to 9pm Friday to Sunday.

• Damnoen Saduak floating market: although being one of the furthest away from Bangkok (around 100 km) it is also one of the best known. It is probably because it is what resembles most what you imagine as a floating market. Totally worth the trip. 6am to 12pm.
• Khlong Lat Mayom floating market: being one of the closest ones to Bangkok (20 km) and with a low-key feeling. It also has an on land market in it and is perhaps a bit less touristy than the previous two. 9.30am to 4.30pm only weekends.
• Taling Chan floating market: this is a vibrant floating market located relatively close to Bangkok and not too popular with tourists. Look out for the colourful plants and food stalls, and purchase a bag of fish food to feed the catfish swimming around in the water.
• Bang Khu Wiang floating market: this special floating market where monks come at break of dawn to sell their produce has a unique charm. Its opening hours are alarmingly early, as it opens at 4 am and closes at 7 am, so get ready for an early alarm on your phone. 4am to 7am.

These are just a few of them, so if you want to explore other markets, make sure you do some research especially on the opening days and hours and the distance from Bangkok.

4. Cruise the Chao Phraya

The Chao Phraya is the river that crosses the center of Bangkok, and watching the city from it is a great addition to your visit. Many people will offer you overpriced tours, but if that is not your thing, you can ride a water taxi for 20 baht (approximately 50 cents). You can take them at the central pier. The downside of these water taxis is that they have more stops and no one is giving descriptions of what you see, but if you ask me, it is much better, more authentic and alarmingly cheaper!

5. Whatever your style or budget: go shopping

Another of the highlights of Bangkok is its shopping opportunities and how inexpensive it can be. From low-key markets to elegant tailors and to the fanciest of shopping malls, there are options for all the budgets.

On a budget

If you are on a budget try going to one of Bangkok’s markets. The atmosphere is busy and exciting and the diversity of products is astonishing. My favourite is Chatuchak weekend market. It is a gigantic market located north of the city center and consisting of 15,000 booths spread along 1 km of market. There are food stalls, clothing, furniture…anything you can think of, and at a low price.

A very special one, more so for the location than for the produce itself, is Maeklong Railway Market. As you can imagine from its name, it takes place over a railway, where vendors place their goods. The twist? it is actually a functioning railway. Every now and then an alarm goes off, the vendors pull back their produce and the train passes extremely close to people and foods. It really is a spectacle and worth the visit. Its safety is relative, but it’s much safer than it looks.

Mid-range

If you have a bigger budget and you work with a suit or are planning on going fancy soon, visiting one of the many tailors in Bangkok might be the right thing for you. You can get a good tailor-made suit for as little as 8,000 baht (around 200 €), and you can even go cheaper if you don’t need excellent quality. But remember to plan ahead, as the tailoring may take a few days. A great options are tailor-made shirts, which you can get for much cheaper and can stand quality check from good tailors in Europe.

High-end

If money is not a problem, you can visit some of Bangkok’s famous shopping malls. The most popular ones being Siam Paragon, MBK center, Emporium or Terminal 21, among others. Even if you don’t plan to shop, make sure you visit one of them to get the feeling of a social hub these establishments are in the Thai community.

6. Explore Chinatown

Yaowarat in Bangkok is one of the largest Chinatowns in the world. Founded in 1782 to serve as home for the immigrant Chinese population it became Bangkok’s commercial hub in the 19th century. Currently, is a hub of Chinese culture with shops selling traditional goods, and it is mainly known as a gastronomic destination.

Stroll down the central Yaowarat Road and taste some of the many Chinese-Thai delicacies.

7. Chill at Lumphini Park

Lumphini Park is the green escape you will need if you stay a few days in Bangkok. As an Asian capital, Bangkok is busy, loud and crowded, so chilling at a great park as Lumphini will bring your body back to normal. It is very entertaining to just walk around, sit by the lake and watch people having fun while playing sports, having a picnic or simply chilling.

8. Meet other travelers in Khao San Road

Bangkok is the backpacking capital of the world, and its very heart is Khao San Road. This popular street is filled with hostels, cheap bars, shops, restaurants, vendors…and it’s buzzing with activity all day (and night) long. Personally, I did not find it particularly appealing, as it is loud, the food is not great or authentic and, basically, it’s not very Thai. That being said, it is a great spot to meet other travelers and to get some drink on in one of the bars around. The drinks are cheap and the music very occidental.

Another option, less crowded and perhaps a bit more authentic (although still on the same line) is Soi Rambuttri.

9. Look over the city in one of Bangkok’s great rooftop bars

I said it before. Watching a city from above gives you a different perspective on what you are visiting. And Bangkok is particularly interesting in that sense. The modern part of Bangkok (Sukhumvit) is filled with skyscrapers, lights and beautiful architecture and the only way to truly enjoy it is from above. That’s why there are so many rooftop bars around the city besides the famous Sky Bar. Due to the huge amount of rooftop bars in Bangkok, I will make a dedicated post about it in the future, which will also give me time to try a few more. For now, here are a few of them:

A few rooftop bars in Bangkok

• Sky Bar: Lebua State Tower. Famous for the Hangover II film, this rooftop has become a hotspot for tourists from around the world. The view from the 63rd floor is incredible. It is not cheap (over 400 baht, over 11 €, for a beer). 6pm to 1am.
• Vertigo and Moon Bar: Banyan Tree. This is the local version of the Sky Bar. Still an aamzing view at a 61st floor. Closed when it rains. 360 baht (9.5 €) for a beer. 5pm to 1am.
• Red Sky: this rooftop, despite not having a view of the river unlike the previous two, it has a panoramic view from the 55th floor that is worth the visit. 320 baht (8.5 €) for a beer. 6pm to 1am.
• Escape: this tropical-vibe rooftop bar has four different areas with a polynesian feeling to it. Go to the Ellipse Bar for a funky evening or have a relaxed dinner at The Tent. For great views, head to The Terrace. 300 baht (8 €) for a cocktail. 5pm to midnight.
• Above Eleven: this lesser known rooftop bar is the place to go for those that don’t want to break the bank. The views, despite not overlooking the river, are great, and the cocktails are well done and affordable. The staff is friendly and will go out of their way to make a cocktail that is not on the menu. On the weekends it gets quite groovy. 170 baht (4.5 €) for a beer. 6pm to 2am.

10. Go wild in Bangkok’s nightlife

AS the sun goes down, Bangkok awakens and offers a vibrant nightlife for all tastes. There are plenty of options for party animals, but there is also space for quieter evenings or night cultural experiences, as Bangkok is a city that truly never sleeps. There are 5 main areas where Bangkok’s nightlife is more exciting

Khao San Road

As I mentioned before, Khao San Road is the world’s backpacker capital and with that comes the party. If you are planning on binge drinking, listening to loud music, dancing in the street and eating deep-fried insects, KSR is your place. You can also get a massage on the side of the street. How people can relax with the crowd and the loud music, however, is still a mystery to me.

Sukhumvit

Sukhumvit is the most diverse in the nightlife option. From rooftop terraces (see above) to hardcore club parties everything in the spectrum is there. It is also house of the famouse Red Light Districts Soi Cowboy and Nana Plaza.

Silom

Silom is Bangkok’s business district. However, by night, it transforms into an orgy for the senses. Similarly to Sukhumvit, it houses fancy venues, stylish bars and the original prostitution hub Patpong Road.

Royal City Avenue

This is the center for clubbing in Bangkok. This area hosts international DJ’s and live musicians that transform the clubs into one some of the best dancefloors around. It is no surprise, then, that most of Bangkok’s legendary clubs are located in this area.

Asiatique Riverfront

Asiatique Riverfront is a large open-air mall located in the former docks of the East Asiatic Company. Its nightlife is very different to that of Sukhumvit or Silom, since it is more chill, with nice bar terraces in front of the river and night markets, cabaret shows and Muay Thai matches.

Chinatown

Chinatown is the foodie nightlife epicenter with hundreds of stalls spanning through Yaowarat Road. From fresh fruits to snacks to Chinese delicacies and, of course, the tastiest Thai dishes, you can get everything in Chinatown.

Travel tip: for a chill experience visit the Shanghai Mansion, a 4-star hotel with a wonderful bar at the lobby (The Shanghai Terrace) were you can sip on amazing cocktails while listening to beautiful live jazz music.

How to get to Bangkok

There is really no issue on how to get to Bangkok. Having one of the most transited and well connected airports in the world, the best way to get to Bangkok from almost everywhere is by plane:

However, if you’re in other areas in Thailand or in nearby Cambodia or Laos, perhaps you can find more affordable options in bus lines. The journeys may be long but you’ll save a tone of money!!

Where to stay in Bangkok

Booking.com

• Budget: as the backpacker capital of the world, Bangkok has a big offer when it comes to budget accommodation. Some very popular ones are NapPark Hostel, Bed Station Hostel and Bangkok Bed and Bike, all near the Khao San Road area.

• Flashpacker: if you want to travel on a budget but you’re not into the party mood there are still options for you. My favourite? CHERN Hostel is a delight and my go-to option when I am in Bangkok. Another option is Thanabhumi.

• Mid-range: if you want to raise your hotel game but you didn’t win the lottery yet, there are many options for you. For example, the Hotel Icon or the Lohas Residences in Sukhumvit are fantastic 4-star hotels with a night price of 50€ for a double room.

• High-end: there are plenty of luxury options in Bangkok, but some of the most renouned hotels are The Peninsula, with a fantastic pool area and top-notch service, Lebua at State Tower, home of the most famous rooftop bar, and the Mandarin Oriental, the first luxury hotel in Thailand.

Closing statement

Bangkok is a thrilling city that never ceases to amaze me and, as a foodie, I can’t compare this city to anything else I’ve been to (I also have a soft spot for Asian food so that helps).

I am not gonna lie: Bangkok is not for everyone and people react strongly to it. Either they love it or they hate it, and most likely it will be the same for you. Just give it a chance to make you fall in love with it, because it is one of the cities that gives most back to people that visit it. Embrace the crowds, the smells, the noises and it will become part of you, making you want to come back again and again. Since I wrote this post I’ve been to Bangkok 6 more times and in one of those I spent 1 whole month in this amazing city. I’ll be updating (heavily) my Bangkok content so stay tuned!

If you’re traveling to Thailand, Bangkok is the perfect place to start and finish your trip. It is one of the best connected airports in the world and it’s smack in the center of Thailand, making it easy to travel to the misty mountains of the North to Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai or Pai, as well as the beautiful islands and landscapes of the South, such as Koh Phan Nga, Krabi, Koh Samui or Kao Sok; and a great gateway to Central Thailand such as Ayutthaya, Sukhothai or the wonderful unexplored islands of Koh Kood and Koh Chang.

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